Carlitos lives with his mother and his abuela in a town across the harbor from Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. His cozy, happy, and comfortable life is colored by the lack of a father. His family looks different than those he sees around him. This lack has him crossing the bay to look for his father in Old San Juan – by himself.

The story leads Carlitos to interact with many interesting people in many interesting and beautiful places throughout the city. Carlitos spirits eventually plummets when he loses his only picture of his father. With the help of a park ranger, he realizes sad things are like dark clouds and that the sun always returns. With a lighter heart, he returns home.

Across the Bay is a sweet story with lovely illustrations. While I enjoyed the story and appreciate the portrayal of Puerto Rico, I found the fact that a young child leaves home to explore a large city alone rather disconcerting.